Supporting mitochondrial functions with ubiquinol

Published: 2-May-2017

Ubiquinol is naturally present in many foods. Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to compensate for any losses via diet alone

Inside almost every cell in the human body are thousands of mitochondria – minuscule organelles in which the respiratory chain takes place. This biochemical process provides the cellular energy required to sustain life and support growth by creating Adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Ubiquinol acts as an essential electron carrier in this process, continuously switching to its oxidized form (coenzyme Q10) and back again. The body cannot substitute a lack of the vitamin-like micronutrient with anything else, and without ubiquinol, cells become damaged and may even die within minutes.

Low ubiquinol levels are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, which can lead to a lack of vital energy and is a contributory factor in a variety of ailments, including heart failure, infertility, autism, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and certain learning disabilities.

Ubiquinol – a vital role in energy production

The respiratory chain produces more than 95% of our energy and supplies it to the heart, brain, muscles and everywhere else that energy is needed. Ubiquinol is therefore indispensable for high level mental and physical performance.

The human body is able to produce its own ubiquinol, although our natural levels decline with age and are affected by illness and lifestyle factors.

In addition, data has shown that the body’s capacity to convert coenzyme Q10 into ubiquinol, its reduced form, decreases with age.

Where to find ubiquinol

Ubiquinol is naturally present in many foods, including meat, fish and nuts. Unfortunately, however, it is virtually impossible to compensate for any losses via diet alone.

Used as a supplement to replenish the body’s natural supplies, the electron-rich ubiquinol has a more rapid and better effect than coenzyme Q10 since it is already in an active form, which means that, unlike coenzyme Q10, it does not have to be converted by the body to be assimilated.

This leads to much better bioavailability and studies confirm that this also translates into significantly higher mitochondrial coenzyme Q10 content than taking coenzyme Q10 itself.

As the physiological levels of ubiquinol in mitochondria are not saturated, there is potential for more cellular energy if the amount of total ubiquinol in the mitochondrial compartment can be increased.

Supporting mitochondrial functions with ubiquinol

Antioxidant properties for cell protection

It has also been shown in various in vitro tests that Kaneka Ubiquinol is a strong antioxidant.

Ubiquinol demonstrated higher relative antioxidant free radical scavenger activity than vitamin E in three out of four of these tests.

Coenzyme Q10 does not show any such activity, which is not surprising since it does not contain phenolic OH groups, which are able to remove free radicals via H-atom transfer. Ubiquinol sacrifices itself before other antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C are depleted and is also able to recycle these two essential nutrients.

Additionally, it protects cell membranes from free radical damage and contributes to their elasticity. Within the inner mitochondrial membrane, this protection is especially important because free radicals can occur here in high numbers during energy production. These reactive oxygen compounds exert oxidative stress, an important contributor to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases.

Ubiquinol also helps to suppress the accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage caused by free radicals, thus delaying accelerated aging. This function is relevant not just to older age groups, but also to younger people.

Dietary supplementation with ubiquinol has various beneficial effects, and this paves the way for a range of novel functional foods as well as nutraceutical applications.

Kaneka Ubiquinol

  • The world’s first and only ubiquinol available as a nutritional ingredient;
  • Bioidentical to the body’s own ubiquinol;
  • Produced via natural yeast fermentation to ensure delivery of the purest possible form;
  • More than 15 years of testing and more than a decade of research and clinical studies assures safety backed by science;
  • No documented side effects, even at high doses;
  • Protected by multiple patents, from production to pack design;
  • Guaranteed stability;
  • More bioavailable than coenzyme Q10 and therefore more effective;
  • A broad range of well documented medical benefits;
  • Available in powder, granulate and liquid form;
  • Neutral in taste and suitable for functional food applications such as gel pellets, sachets and sports drinks;
  • Non-doping, GMO-free, allergen-free.

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